The US routinely angers Beijing with “freedom of navigation” missions.

The sea, home to vital shipping lanes, has in recent years become a flashpoint for tensions between China and several regional nations which have overlapping claims over islands and reefs.

Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all make claims to parts of the sea.

Why is the South China Sea contentious?

China lands bombers in South China Sea

China, however, claims a huge area, known as the “nine-dash line”, and routinely accuses the US Navy of provocation and interference in regional matters.

The USS Decatur travelled within 12 nautical miles of the Gaven and Johnson Reefs on Sunday. International law says states can claim territorial seas up to a limit of 12 nautical miles but the US sails within that distance to show that it does not recognise China’s claims.

The Chinese manoeuvre almost caused a collision, US official said.

“The US side repeatedly sends military ships without permission into seas close to South China Seas islands, seriously threatening China’s sovereignty and security, seriously damaging Sino-US military ties and seriously harming regional peace and stability,” China’s defence ministry said.

The latest incident comes amid worsening trade tensions between Beijing and Washington, who have been imposing tit-for-tat tariffs on each other’s goods.

The US recently imposed sanctions on the Chinese military over its purchases of Russian military jets and surface-to-air missiles.

China has reportedly cancelled a security meeting later this month with US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis.

US sanctions on China over Russia weapons

The South China Sea dispute

Sovereignty over two largely uninhabited island chains, the Paracels and the Spratlys, is disputed by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Malaysia.

China claims the largest portion of territory, saying its rights go back centuries – in 1947 it issued a map detailing its claims.

The area is a major shipping route, and a rich fishing ground, and is thought to have abundant oil and gas reserves.

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